WashingtonWild FALL NEWSLETTER 2013

Including: Our BLM Lands: Washington’s Unheralded Backcountry BLM Lands in Washington State Conservation Voices: Representative Reichert Wild Sky Wilderness: Five Years Later 1 Washington Wild Dear Friends: S t a ff In 2014 we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the passage Jim Hook of the Wilderness Act of 1964, a landmark act of Congress Executive Director and a signifi cant step towards preserving the country’s last remaining wild places. Signed by President Lyndon Johnson, the Act designated over nine million acres of permanently Lyndsay Gordon protected Wilderness across the country. But there is even Membership Assistant more to celebrate in 2014 besides this epic anniversary for Wilderness protection. Next year marks Washington Wild’s 35th anniversary as the premier Alison Rosenstock state-wide Wilderness grassroots advocacy organization, one that has played an invaluable Telephone Outreach role since 1979 in permanently protecting nearly three million acres of Wilderness within Washington State. As many of you may recall, WA Wild was instrumental in bringing together bi-partisan support leading to the passage of the Washington Wilderness Act in 1984, another Christine Scheele milestone anniversary to observe next year. Volunteer Coordinator Given the signifi cance of next year’s anniversaries, we started celebrating a little early. In August Tom Uniack this year, WA Wild staff gathered with over 60 others in Index, Washington, to commemorate Conservation Director the fi ve-year anniversary of the passage of the Wild Sky Wilderness Act, which protected Our BLM Lands: 106,000 acres of mature and old growth forests and salmon spawning streams just over an hour Jill Wasberg from downtown Seattle. Sen. Patty Murray, Rep. Rick Larsen, and citizens of Index spoke to the crowd about the myriad of positive impacts of Wild Sky on their community. Wilderness works. Washington’s Unheralded Backcountry Membership & Just ask the folks living and working in Index. Development Director When it comes to federal lands, images of iconic national employees about the future course for the agency: “the But our work is never fi nished and the tasks ahead are challenging. Today our aggregate parks or scenic national forests fi ll our minds. However, landowners, the American people, want their lands held campaign work in the Puget Sound area envisions the addition of over 400,000 acres of new in reality, the agency that manages the most federal and managed for clean water, the protection of endangered Wilderness and nearly 1,000 miles of new Wild and Scenic River protection. And as this land isn’t the Park Service or the Forest Service – it’s the species, for abundant wildlife, for productive fi sheries, issue’s Guest Voice, Rep. Dave Reichert, reminds us, we should not overlook the Wilderness Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Responsible for for open space, for the protection of our heritage and Board of Directors opportunities in those public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) here managing more than 260 million acres nationwide, the God’s creation. If we manage our lands primarily for these in Washington. agency originated with a strong multiple-use mandate purposes we will have public support, if not we will neither Roger Mellem, President that attempts to serve all uses from logging and energy have nor deserve their support.” Doug North, Vice President For nearly 35 years, our members, including many of you reading this today, have provided the development to recreation and grazing. Brad Meissner, Treasurer critical support that allows us to fulfi ll our mission. We need your continuing help to protect Carla Villar, Secretary and preserve our favorite places to explore and play in the wild, in the next year and beyond. Washington State is home to more than 460,000 acres Hamed Ahmadi of BLM lands, the vast majority of which are located Leann Arend We have an exciting opportunity for you to double your donations, dollar-for-dollar, in eastern Washington. Th at total is the least of all the Nalani Askov starting NOW. A group of very generous Washington Wild supporters pledged $20,000 as a twelve western states from Alaska to New Mexico. Yet, Adam Lenhardt matching challenge in order to raise a new level support for our mission. I thank you for your Washington BLM lands still boast a designated Wilderness Tim Overland support as a member, and hope I can count on your contribution toward this match campaign area, the nation’s newest national monument, a scenic Kelly Rula to help us realize the full potential that these incremental dollars bring to our organization. wilderness study area, and much of the last remaining Mark Walters Please help us stand vigilant in protecting places like your favorite trails in the Alpine Lakes habitat statewide for the imperiled sage grouse. Wilderness Area, Olympic Peninsula old growth forests and rivers, lower-elevation wild lands and salmon spawning streams in the Cascades, and even more around the state. Th ese are the places that make our state a great place to live. Whether you hike, climb, trail run, horseback Balancing Extractive Uses with a ride, mountain bike, hunt, fi sh, or do anything to enjoy the outdoors, I know our work matters Conservation Legacy Cover photo by to you. It directly aff ects the quality of life for you and the generations that follow. Steve Biber In 2000, there was a concerted eff ort by agency leadership Please give our request careful consideration and look for a letter from us in your mailbox. Juniper Dunes Wilderness by John Osborn Graphic Design by Join us as we look forward to an exciting 2014. to balance the historic focus on more extractive uses with a conservation legacy. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt Darcey Whitney Yours for a Wild Washington Photos above courtesy of Jeff Clark, BLM (left ), Jerry Magee (top), 2 Jim gave an impassioned speech to agency leadership and Washington Wild (right), and BLM (bottom)3 Nine years later, that vision became a reality when Congress San Juan Islands National Monument Protecting Sage Grouse established the National Conservation Lands System (now dubbed “National Conservation Lands”) with bipartisan Habitat: A Vital BLM- support from Washington Congressman Dave Reichert (R- The most recent addition to the National Conservation Lands Role WA08) among others. Lands system in Washington is the San Juan Islands National Monument. The monument was established in National Conservation Lands is the nation’s newest, March 2013 by President Obama to protect nearly 1,000 Additional notable landscapes permanently protected collection of public lands - 28 acres of recreational areas beloved by locals and visitors managed by the BLM in million acres of nationally significant landscapes set alike, cultural sites used by local tribes for thousands of Washington include the 7,000- aside for current and future generations because of their years, historic lighthouses and disappearing habitat for acre Juniper Dunes, located outstanding cultural, ecological and scientific importance. marine mammals, seabirds, and the once thought to be just miles from the growing The system is comprised of BLM lands established as extinct island marble butterfly. city of Pasco, WA. Oregonian Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers, national monuments, sand dock blooms that paint national conservation areas, or other protective The story of the designation goes back a quarter century in the Dunes red in the spring are designations. the spring of 1989 when a group of eleven local residents surrounded by extensive areas reacted to a proposal by the Washington State Department of sagebrush steppe. Designated “The Bureau of Land Management’s system of National of Natural Resources to log 120 acres of Chadwick Hill on in 1984, this is the only BLM Conservation Lands fulfills a key conservation mission Lopez Island. The group, Friends of Chadwick, successfully Wilderness in Washington that has been evolving, particularly since passage of the petitioned to stop the logging and subsequently worked State. Another is BLM-managed Chopaka Mountain Wilderness Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976,” said to get federal funding to acquire the local parkland by the Sage grouse by BLM Jerry Magee, Wilderness and National Conservation Lands Bureau of Land Management. Study Area in Okanagan County near the Canadian border. This region is a destination Program Lead for the Oregon-Washington State Office of “In order to get these important birds on the road to for mountain climbing, camping and hiking, and it the Bureau of Land Management. “These lands represent Ten years later, local residents became increasingly recovery, we need to protect the little sage grouse habitat we also supported the last native herd of bighorn sheep in an increasingly rare opportunity for Americans to escape concerned that the administrative management of the San have intact on federal and state lands so we don’t take a step Washington which was hunted out in the 1920s. crowds and create their own outdoor adventures in the wild Juan BLM lands was not the permanent protection that backwards,” said Derek Stinson, Fish and Wildlife Biologist beauty of the West, as well as providing unique resources for they were seeking. In 2009, an earnest effort began to seek for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. study to scientists and students of all ages.” a national monument designation. Local leaders garnered BLM Lands in Washington State also comprise part of the last occupied habitat for the greater sage-grouse, which has strong local support for “Additionally we need to restore habitat on strategically seen its numbers decline more than 60% over the last 40 protection from more located lands so sage-grouse populations can expand their years. The Duffy Creek, Moses Coulee and additional BLM than 150 local businesses range or on sites promising for reintroduction.” and more than 30 local lands in Douglas and Grant Counties are located in some of the last remaining occupied habitat areas for the large conservation, recreation The State has been working with the BLM since 2008 to ground-dwelling bird. and civic groups. reintroduce birds each year in the Crab Creek area of Lincoln County. The site was chosen for its significant state The sage-grouse was listed as a threatened species by the “When you live on and federal land base, including Swanson Lake Wildlife state of Washington in 1998 and the species, including the an island you have an Management Area (WDFW) and Twin Lakes Recreation Washington population, has been proposed for a federal inherent stewardship Area (BLM). instinct for the land where listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. At you live, work and play,” issue is the conversion of sage-grouse habitat to agriculture, said Asha Lela, a member habitat loss to development, and incompatible grazing, Upcoming Management Plan for of Friends of Chadwick particularly historical overgrazing. The game bird eats sage and Chair of the Islanders brush almost exclusively in the winter as a mainstay of its Washington’s BLM Lands for San Juan Islands diet and relies on healthy shrub steppe stands, including National Monument. understory forbs, and associated insects on which growing Washington Wild is currently working to improve an “Our choice was to chicks feed in the spring. inventory of BLM-managed lands statewide and will take a strong proactive recommend appropriate management to the agency for focus on permanently those lands that exhibit wilderness characteristics. The BLM protecting the land for BLM lands in Washington State also comprise lands in Washington will be the subject of a draft resource future generations of both part of the last occupied habitat for the greater management plan in the spring of 2014 which will guide islanders and visitors.” sage-grouse, which as seen its numbers decline their management for the next 15 years. Washington Wild plans to engage the public to identify lands with wilderness more than 60% over the last 40 years. characteristics on BLM lands, many of which provide San Juan Islands National Monument by Jeff Clark, BLM existing future habitat for the threatened sage grouse. 4 5 While Washington State has the least amount of BLM lands of the 12 western Bureau of Land Management states, the 400,000 acres it does have includes a Wilderness area, a National Monument, and a Wilderness Study Area, in addition to some of the last Lands in Washington State remaining occupied habitat in the State for the imperiled sage grouse.

Th e Chopaka Mountain Wilderness Study Area encompasses 5,518 acres of high elevation mountain basin and the northern In March 2013, about 1,000 end of Chopaka Lake to protect and enhance wilderness qualities acres of islands managed by such as wildlife habitat, while also allowing access for a plethora the BLM became the nation’s of recreational activities. newest National Monument. Spread over about 75 sites, they include dozens of the small islands and reefs that provide breeding grounds for birds and safe refuges for everything from harbor seal pups to rare Photo by: Paul Michelson plants. Th ese lands also shelter historical sites and as popular recreation destinations like Iceberg Point and the Cattle Point lighthouse.

Photo by: Jeff Clark, BLM

Th e Douglas-Duff y Creek Area provides some of the last remaining occupied habitat statewide for the Photo by: John Osborn imperiled Sage Grouse. Established in 1984, the 7.000-acre Juniper Dunes Wilderness Th is BLM managed land is the only Wilderness area in Washington State. Th e area is in Douglas County has Bureau of Land Management noteworthy for the northernmost range of western juniper trees signifi cant Wilderness BLM Wilderness that live among the area’s large sand dunes. Some of these trees characteristics. BLM Wilderness Study Area are more than 150 years old. 6 Photo courtesy of BLM 7 Conservation Voices: Wild Sky Wilderness: Five Years Later Congressman Dave Reichert Protection Boosts On September 28th, our nation celebrated National Public Lands Day, showing Local Economies appreciation for all public lands that offer recreational opportunities to our families and an economic boost for our communities. Our great outdoor spaces and activities are one On August 20, 2013, over 60 people of the many benefits of living in this beautiful state. It is up to all of us to ensure that our kids and grandkids will continue to enjoy, and benefit from, these opportunities. gathered in the town of Index, Washington, to celebrate the five-year In addition to national parks, forests and wildlife refuges, lands managed by the Bureau anniversary of the passage of Wild of Land Management (BLM) offer diverse experiences. These lands are set aside for Sky Wilderness, which permanently multiple uses, so resources can be both utilized and enjoyed for their various values. protects 106,000 acres of low-elevation Because of this, BLM lands give people from all walks of life the chance to fish in wildlife habitat, forests, streams and pristine trout rivers, raft through whitewater rapids, explore desert canyons, experience access to prime outdoor recreation old-growth forests, interact with wildlife, attempt world class rock climbing and even opportunities. hike rugged coastlines. Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Rick Photo courtesy of Outdoor Adventure Center In 2006, I played a leadership role in establishing the National (D-WA), Scoop Jackson (D-WA) and Dan Evans (R-WA) of Larsen joined the high-spirited celebration. They spoke of the lasting benefits to salmon Landscape Conservation System Caucus, a bi-partisan group working together to protect our public lands and preserve place that is within driving distance of almost 2 million created to raise awareness in Congress of BLM’s work to and other wildlife, clean water and world-class recreational recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. It also people, and many people come here now to enjoy the preserve treasured landscapes within a National Conservation opportunities. They also emphasized the value of protecting serves the larger group of wilderness users who take pleasure natural and scenic wonders.” Lands system for generations to come. from the wilderness they view from the Mountains-to-Sound the “heart and soul” of low-elevation old-growth and Greenway, an extraordinary corridor of protected federal, mature forests as part of the Wild Sky Wilderness. Thirty The steady flow of visitors is critical to the economies of In 2009, I helped lead efforts to introduce and pass the state, and private lands offering all kinds of recreational percent, of the Wild Sky consists of forest below 3,000 feet small towns in the Skykomish Valley along Highway 2. National Landscape Conservation System Act, legislation opportunities to those who travel across our state on Interstate elevation compared to just six percent of all the previous Visitors stop to spend money on meals, buy groceries, which established a system of conservation lands comprised 90, which crosses the Cascades just south of the Alpine Lakes national forest designated Wilderness in Washington State. of national monuments, designated Wilderness, national Wilderness. Those who savor the wild scenery from more purchase gear, sign up for rafting, kayaking or other recreational trips, and stay overnight at hotels and vacation conservation areas and Wild and Scenic Rivers under developed sites and roadways are no less users of wilderness “I want places that can rentals in towns that are the gateway to Wild Sky. BLM management. This was a key step in establishing a than the adventurers who trek to the highest, farther peaks. be enjoyed by this size, conservation legacy for these lands. and that size,” Senator For Bill Corson, owner of Outdoor Adventures, Protecting and conserving our natural gems is not the Patty Murray said to Washington’s wild places gave him the opportunity to Most recently, I have worked with Congresswoman Suzan prerogative of any one party. Many understand that there is the crowd, referencing get kids out in nature. He operates a rafting and guiding DelBene, and Senator Patty Murray who introduced a lesson to learn and a legacy to be passed on to our children a baby and parent. business as well as an eatery along the North Fork a companion bill, on legislation to add 22,000 acres of and grandchildren by making sure that they are able to enjoy “We are making sure underrepresented low elevation mature and old-growth forests Skykomish River in Index. He and his family–owned the same opportunities to explore their surroundings and the you don’t have to go to to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness business are also working to restore the historic Bush House natural beauty of their home nation just as my generation the top of a glacier to Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers also in Index which will provide a restaurant and bunk was able to. We should all continue to take advantage of view a wonderful part Protection Act (H.R. 361) would also protect nearly 40 miles this privilege. Our nation has some of the most diverse and house for visitors as early as next spring. With more than of Washington.” of new Wild and Scenic Rivers. beautiful lands in the world. The outdoors is our heritage and Photo by Jill Wasberg, WA Wild three decades of experience in working in the outdoor and it is common sense that we work together to protect it. recreation industry, Corson explains why he is investing in The Alpine Lakes legislation is important to Washingtonians Small towns and communities near the Wild Sky the small town of Index. because the Middle Fork and South Fork valleys are the As a grandfather, I understand that what we do today will Wilderness are also feeling direct economic benefits. The closest and most accessible mountain valleys to residents of impact the environment that future generations live in. Wild Sky Wilderness preserves the scenic and natural “Index has it all – snowcapped peaks, whitewater, old the greater Seattle-Bellevue metropolitan area. The proposed The world we leave behind will be the world in which our amenities that have provided a new economic lease on life growth trees, spawning salmon, and abundant recreational additions have been carefully crafted with consideration grandchildren’s children will live their lives, amid whatever for small towns like Index along the North Fork Skykomish opportunities all with a back drop of the recent Wild for existing recreational opportunities for hiking, camping, kind of landscape we have left. Count mine as one solid voice River. Sky Wilderness,” said Corson. “It is a remarkable and rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking and on behalf of ensuring that the landscape we pass on to future unforgettable place to visit or call home.” wildlife viewing. generations is one with an abundant, generous and diverse “Over the last 37 years, the town has gradually and steadily system of natural landscapes equal to those that we enjoy and changed from a mode of resource exploitation to natural As local residents, and visitors alike, look forward to the The legislation will preserve important wildlife habitats, benefit from today. resource preservation,” said Kem Hunter, former Mayor and reopening of the Index-Galena road and additional trail existing recreational opportunities, and local economies that current resident of Index. “The reason this is happening is, opportunities in the Wild Sky Wilderness, the economic rely on both. H.R. 361 builds upon the proud Washington Dave Reichert is the Congressman representing Washington’s this area is finding a new identity as an incredibly beautiful future of towns like Index is encouraging. 8State tradition initiated by Senators Warren Magnuson 8th Congressional District. 9 Wild Profiles: Washington Wild Updates

Photographer Fritz Wollett, 100 More Businesses & CEOs Announce Support for Wild Olympics Steven Fey WA Wild Member In July, more than 100 businesses and CEOs on the Olympicand Kitsap Peninsulas announced their support for the Wild Olympics legislation Professional photographer Fritz Wollett of introduced into Congress by Senator Patty Murray Steven Fey has been a Seattle has been a and Congressman Norm Dicks in 2012. The proposal good friend and strong loyal friend of wild would designate the first new Wilderness on the supporter of Washington lands and waters and Olympic National Forest in 30 years and the first ever Wild and wild lands in a strong supporter of Wild and Scenic Rivers on the Olympic Peninsula. The Washington State for Washington Wild for local businesses cite the quality of life on the Olympic many years. In 2007, 12 years. Fritz was one Peninsula as a driving force behind economic growth Photo by Kevin Geraghty he spent several weeks of the first members and job creation in the local economy, and understand obtaining powerful of our regular giving Alpine Lakes Wilderness & Rivers Bill that the Wild Olympics legislation would protect that images that highlight program, Partners quality of life if enacted. Passes Senate, Gets House Hearing the low-elevation forests for Wild Lands, and Photo by Jim Hook proposed for Wilderness is almost always the In June, the U.S. Senate approved the Alpine Lakes Photo by Steven Fey in what became Wild Sky first person to confirm his attendance at Wild Night Out, Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Wildnerness. In 2008, he hosted a Washington Wild donor Washington Wild’s annual dinner and auction. He makes Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (S. 112), an important event at his gallery. In 2010, he provided a presentation, himself available to staff throughout the year to discuss step on the bipartisan legislation’s path to becoming “Capturing Wildness Through a Lens,” on his experience our work and so that we can keep him up to date on our law. The bill would add 22,000 acres of low-elevation as a nature photographer as part of Washington Wild’s goals in Wilderness and river protection. Earlier this year, forests to the Alpine Lake Wilderness and protect 40 speaker series. Over the years, Steven has also donated art Fritz also accompanied Washington Wild board and staff miles of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers as work to the WW annual auction. Most recently, Steven members and an affable team of pack goats on a hike in the Wild and Scenic. In July, the House Natural Resources is working with Washington Wild to capture unique and Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. Committee held a hearing on identical legislation in stunning photographs of areas within the Wild Olympics the House. With more than a year left in the current proposal that will support the campaign. Fritz developed his passion for the wilderness when he Congressional session the popular bipartisan legislation was 12 years old and started backpacking as a Boy Scout to is further along than any other time in its five plus years Steven first developed his passion for the natural lakes in the Snoqualmie Pass area well before the passage Photo by Javin Elliff in Congress. Read more at www.wawild.org. landscape 35 years ago as an avid hiker and mountain of the federal Wilderness Act. He continued backpacking climber, summiting all of the major Cascade peaks in with his mom and stepfather through his high school years. Oregon and Washington. As a photographer, Steven is He attended law school at the University of Texas and then entirely self-taught. He developed his interest and skill moved to the Bay Area. These experiences made Fritz Logo Contest Award Winner for the Brewshed Alliance! in photographing favorite landscapes in the western U.S. realize the importance of providing regional wilderness Washington Wild is leading efforts in the state to organize breweries and their and Canada graduating to large format cameras, which recreational opportunities, as he’d had in his youth, for loyal patrons to be advocates for actions that protect our rivers and watersheds. have an 8” by 10” view, allowing for large prints showing urban residents. Dubbed the Brewshed Alliance, we are excited to share our new Washington stunning range, depth and detail. Steven is committed to Brewshed Alliance™ logo designed by Kate Hourihan! Look for it soon on film and traditional photographic processes which allow “After I returned to Seattle in 1992, I learned of the coasters, pints, hoodies, and brewery bathroom stalls in your neighborhood him to more accurately portray the light and colors found Washington Wild’s campaign to preserve the Wild Sky. microbreweries. in nature, rather than digital imaging. Given its proximity to Seattle, that seemed like a cause well worth supporting,” Fritz said. “Following creation of the Our Brewshed happy hours have been wildly successful! And why shouldn’t they be? Drinking great beer for a great Wild Sky, I have continued to support Washington Wild Steven lives on Bainbridge Island where he has an art cause is a great time, as it turns out. Through our Brewshed Happy Hours, Washington Wild staff members have in its efforts to expand wilderness in Washington State. gallery downtown displaying his photographs of the gotten a chance to meet our current members and new faces who want to get involved in protecting Wilderness, The mission fits well with my love of the outdoors and my natural world. He is one of the 250 local businesses that rivers and watersheds. Join us! desire to preserve forests and mountains for all of us to use have formally endorsed the Wild Olympics proposal. Thursday, December 12th @ Fremont Brewing to relax and enjoy.” Please visit his website at www.stevenfeyphotography. 3409 Woodland Park Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 com or stop by next time you are on Bainbridge. Tell him One dollar for every pint sold will be donated to Washington Wild! Washington Wild sent you! Contact Christine Scheele for more information: [email protected] 10 11 WashingtonWild FALL NEWSLETTER 2013

Washington Wild 305 N. 83rd Street Non-Profi t Org. U.S. Postage Seattle, WA 98103 PAID Seattle, WA

Including: Our BLM Lands: Washington’s Unheralded Backcountry BLM Lands in Washington State Conservation Voices: Representative Reichert Wild Sky Wilderness: Five Years Later

Wild Night Out 2013 Th ank you from Washington Wild for a successful Annual Dinner & Auction!

Wild Night Out 2013 was a wonderful success and a WILD time! Th ank you to our sponsors, guests, auction donors, and volunteers for helping us exceed our goal and raise over $50,000 to go toward protecting wild lands and water in Washington state. See you next year, when we celebrate 35 years of Washington Wild and 50 years of Th e Wilderness Act!

Th ank you to our Sponsors Title Sponsor: Harris Moure Wild Sky Sponsor: Ryan Swanson Boulder River Sponsors: Nalani Askov and Pat Gibbon, Cascadia Consulting Group, Icicle Brewing Company/Munchen Haus, Th e Wilderness Society, Sierra Nevada, and Grand Central Baking Company

Double Your Donation to Washington Wild!

Look for a letter from us in the mail this November that invites you to double your donation – and double your impact on conserving wild lands and water – to Washington Wild! Th anks to a generous group of donors who have pledged $20,000 to be matched, we have the opportunity to 12 raise a new level of support for our work! Please help us reach this goal!